Ordered a wireless sync that apparently was only meant for AC operation and found myself struggling to use the optical slave on the monolight. I had no idea the optical slave was next to useless in direct sunlight.

I felt like a contortionist trying to cup the slave with me left hand and swivel my canon 580ex flash sideways in the direction of the slave!

Needless to say I ordered another wireless trigger more suitable for DC operation…

Jim (sjim2004) and I spotted this spider at loxahatchee. The spider was not thrilled about us touching the plant it was on and reared back in this defensive posture. Wouldn’t want to be an insect near this guy…

This fly kept landing on Jim (sjim2004) in what we joked was an attempt to find a host… It was rather disturbing how persistent it was. It’s all fun in games until somehow is a chewing toy for the likes of bot fly larvae…

Jim (sjim2004) noticed this bull ant tending to a cluster of aphids at loxahatchee. The bull ant provides protection, nurtures, and grooms the aphids while it feeds off the sweet honeydew collected from the aphids (sometimes referred to as milking).

Aphids themselves are defenseless. Their relationship with this bull ant is keeping them safe from lady beetles and other predators.

This spider was well hidden within the fold of a leaf. People always ask macro shooters how small insects are found with such frequency. If you want to maximize your time shooting you must scan individual leaves (front and back) and look in areas that are not very accessible. Often times you will find insects either hiding waiting to ambush prey or well camouflaged insects blending in with their surroundings.

It also helps to shoot with a friend shooting macro. It’s amazing how many subjects can be spotted by multiple people.

:HINT: :COUGH: Come on Jim / Alan – We have to go out and have a macrothon. Having the three of us scouring an area should yield a ton of photo opportunities.